When will fair drug testing be available to all?

When will fair drug testing be available to all?

True story. The IPA was contacted by a municipal worker who is an eight year employee with a clean employment record. He’s always had difficulty with providing annual samples and then he failed a test. For employers who must follow Department of Transportation rules, this instance is labeled a “refusal” to provide a sample and counts as a “failure.” To maintain his employment, he was put on a program of more frequent drug testing – which, you guessed it, he failed. He sought out a urologist, and based on the description of the appointment, the IPA would classify this medical professional as “not AP friendly,” but who did show there was nothing medically wrong. In following employment procedures, he had a long history of appeals and finally a reinstatement which mandated attendance at regular drug education meetings. Our friend didn’t need them, of course, because he is not on drugs. After another “failed test,” he went out and immediately got his own hair test – which showed he is clean. Unbelievably, this back and forth has been going on 4 years. From an organizational standpoint, this is a terrible waste of productivity which could be solved by simply expanding the eligible testing types admissible.

When will fair drug testing be available to all? We want that reality to be sooner rather than later. The IPA is currently compiling stories like these. If you are willing to have your name and story shared as we begin this year’s work on allowing alternate testing methods to be a person’s right, click over to our Contact the IPA page now. You can read more about our stance on drug testing here. Let drug testing test for drugs and not test for an employee’s ability to pee in a cup.

• Tim Pyle, Executive Director, March 5, 2021